“I like the cooking part, the food products mostly, because we’re housewives and we’re cooks, and the most important part is in the kitchen,” said Lama Alomari, 31, a Jordanian who went the show with a friend.

Cooking demonstrations by professional chefs are scheduled to take place throughout the three-day event, which runs until Saturday.

Visitors are invited to take part in cookery contests, in which they have a chance to win gift certificates worth up to Dh500.

At the Maggi display, spectators can watch as an easy meal is prepared by brand ambassador Assia Othman, a popular blogger who has a passion for cooking.

She also shows visitors how to create a table setting and establish a mood that matches the theme of the food.

“We want to inspire and empower women to make a difference in their family’s lives,” said Mayada Shahawi, consumer activities manager for Maggi.

“We have a theme called ignite romance. We give women different recipes that would go well with her and her partner and how to set the mood with the music and table setting.

“We want her to make a difference in her life and Maggi is the support.”

Personal beauty and hygiene products were also on display, as were speciality services such as glamping – camping equipment that offers the comforts of home.

Mujahid Salman, the founder of 174 Solar, welcomed visitors to a large, sturdy tent outfitted with lights, a queen-sized bed, a flat-screen television, overhead fan and other luxuries.

“People appreciate a full-service, A-to-Z thing,” Mr Salman said. “You pick a spot and we’ll set it all up. You just have to show up with your food and your clothing.”

Foilack, a German company, had a lime-green Lamborghini on show to illustrate how its services can help car owners change the look of their vehicles without affecting the original paintwork.

“We do car wrapping,” said Omar Alhaider, a company spokesman. “We change the colours of the cars by using vinyl. Anyone who has a car would be interested in our product because the original paint would be saved underneath, untouched, like new, like out of the factory.”

Jo Chambers visited the show with a friend and their children so that they could pose for a photo with Santa Claus and climb the nine-metre rock-climbing wall.

“We wanted to see Father Christmas and we found one here,” Ms Chambers said.

As for the climbing wall, “It was good,” said seven-year-old Skye Davidson, from Scotland. “I was scared, but I just kept going.”

The Life and Style Show is open from 2pm to 11pm on Friday and 12pm to 10pm on Saturday.

Tickets cost Dh50, which includes all demonstrations and samples. Children age 16 and younger get in for free.